Engine starting apparatus



June 16, 1931. J. B. DYER ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 29, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l Hllllllllj June 16, 1931. J. B. DYER 1,810,393

ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 29, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 as 1a i June 16,1931. J, B; DYER 1,810,393

ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 29, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 aroma 1B. DYER, ornnnnnson,

Patented June 16, 1931 INDIANA, ASSIGN OR TO DELCO-BEMY CGRE'ORATIQN, OF

astes DrhYTGN, OHIO, A CSR-POBATIOTLT OF DELAWATZE ENGINE STARTING APTAB-ATUS Application filed, February 29, 1925. Serial no. 25337;.-

This invention relates to apparatus for comes self-operative.

The present invention constitutes improve ments inf manually operable mechanisms for rotating the pinion, in case of its abutment with the enginelgear teeth, into meshing registration wlth the engine gear in order that the pinion may be brought into'substantially full meshing relationwith the engine' gear before the motor is operated. In this :waybreakage or the-teeth of the pinion andgear is reduced to a'minimum.

In one'ot itsaspects, the present invention constitutes improvements in the form of engine starting apparatus described and claimed in the copending application of F. J, Hardman, Serial No. 728,581, filedJuly 28,

1924i and inmy copending application, Serial No. 245,886, filed January 9, 1928. These applications disclose engine starting apparatus'comprising a motor, a shaft operated thereby,means for connecting the shaft with "the gear of an engine to be started andineluding a pinion movable endwise into meshi with'the gear of an engine to be started and including provisionswhe'reby the pinion .will' be automatically demeshed from the gear when the engine starts, a device movable with the pinion for moving the pinion and for rotating it prior to meshing in case ofabutmentwith the en ine ear while the inion is beingpressed yieldingly against the en gine gear, a manually operable actuator for:

operating saiddevice, and means for automatically disconnecting the manually operated actuator from said device after the pinion has been meshed with the gear and 7 before the engine startsso that the pmlon,

may be automatically demeshed, regardless of the factthat the operator has not released the actuator. In these applications there a are disclosed disconnectible elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and pinionshifting device, andmeans for automatically moving the elementoperaa ,tively connected with the actuator out of operative relation to the element operatively connected with the pinion shiftingdevice,

and means for automatically restoring these elements to their operative relation when the actuator 15 returned to normal posltlon. The

apparatuses shown in these applications com-,

pelthe operator to release the actuator so that it may be returned by spring: operation to normal position before a starting operation may be repeated. 7

My present invention diiiers from vthose shown in these other applicationsin that the element which is operatively connectedfwith the pinion shifting and meshing device is moved automatically away from the path of movement of the element operatively con-' nected with the actuator. Preferably I employ an element moved by the actuator longitudinally of the pinion and normally engageable with an elementoperatively con-" nected with the pinion shifting and meshing deviceand mounted to rotate between certain limitsdue to frictional connectionbetween the motor shaft. When. the motor operates to crank the engine, the second mentioned element will be moved away from the operative connection with the actuator or first mentioned element so that the pinion may be automatically demeshed when the engine 7 starts regardless of the status of the actuator element. The return of the actuator element to normal positlon will operate means for automaticall rotatin the second mentioned element to normal position and into the path ofqmoi-ementof the first mentioned or actuator element. Thus the operation of the starting device cannot be repeated unless the actuator has been released and restored to normal position. In this way the starting,

apparatus is rendered fOOl-pTOOf against a manipulation which would place the gear shitting mechanism in such condition that the motor could be operated-before the pinion is meshed with the engine gear.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the fol lowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sec tional view of the starting apparatus em-.

bodying the present invention, and shows the apparatus in normal condition.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing certain parts of the starter mecha- -tween the manually operated element of the mechanism and the sleeve which provides the driving connection between the pinion and the helically splined shaft. 7

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevatio showing the position of the mechanism during the cranking of the engine.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9'9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the positions of parts of the mechanism after the pinion has been demeshed from the engine gear and before the manual- 1y operable member has been released.

In the drawings, 20 designates a mounting bracket and gear housing member by which the starting apparatus is attached to the frame of an engine not shown but represented by a flywheel. gear 21. The frame 20 supports a motor field frame 22 and an armature shaft 23 journalled in a bearing 24 provided bythe frame 20 and in a bearing not shown provided by the frame 20 and in a bearing not shown provided by the frame 22. A motor pinion 25 is slidable along a smooth portion 26 into and out of engagement with the engne flywheel gear 21. Motion of the pinion toward the right into mesh with the engine g'ear'is arrested by a stop provided by a split wire ring 27 occupying a groove 28 in the shaft 23. End thrust of the shaft 23 toward the right is taken up by a thrust washer 29' bearing against a machined surface provided by the frame 20.

Motion is transmitted from the shaft 23 to the pinion 25 through a sleeve 30 threadedly engaging the helical splines 31 provided by the shaft 23. The sleeve 30 is provided with internal straight splines 32 which are drivingly connected with longitudinal straight splines 33 provided exteriorly by the hub of the pinion 25. Thus the driving connection between the sleeve and pinion provides for relative endwise movement between these elements. A spring 34 located between the hub of the pinion 25 and an internal shoulder 35 of the sleeve 30 tends to separate the pinion from the sleeve, but this movement of separation is limited by a split wire ring 36 engaging a groove in the hub of the pinion and bearing against the inner faces 37 of the internal splines 32 of the sleeve. The sleeve 30 is provided with holes 38 through which suitable tools may be manipulated for holding the ring 36 while it is being sprung over the pinion hub so that it may be entered in the groove of the pinion hub and for removing the ring 36 from the pinion so that the pinion may be removed from the sleeve. The internal annular groove 39 provided by the sleeve provides clearance for entrance and removal of the ring 36 from. the groove of the pinion hub.-

The manually operated mechanism for moving the sleeve 30 and pinion 25 toward the engine gear 21 comprises a manually operated member or lever 40 attached to a hub 41' which is pivoted upon a bolt 42 supported by the gear housing 20. The lever 40 carries a stud or 'pin 43 which is movable longitudinally of the shaft 23. The manually operated mechanism includes also an intermediate member for transmitting motion from the lever 40 to the sleeve 30. This motion transmitting member includes a disc 44 having a flange 45 slidable along the shaft 23 and engageable with the end of the sleeve 30 so'as' to push the same toward the engine gear. The disc 44-provides a support for one end of a sleeve or tube 46 which is formed by bending the blank 47 shown in Fig. 7 into a cylindrical form and by joining the abutting edges 48 and 49 by means of an interlocking joint including dovetail tangs 50 which en-* gage dovetail notches 51. The blank 47 provides tangs 52 which, after the blank 47 is bent into cylindrical form, are interlocked with suitable notches adjacent the periphery of the disc 44 and are bent against the disc 44 as indicated by numeral 52a. The right hand end of the tube 46 is supported by the sleeve 30 by providing the tube 46 with an arcuate friction plate 53 preferably spotwelded upon the inner side of the tube and having a thickness approximately equal to the width of the annular space between the sleeve and tube when these parts are located concentrically. The wall of the tube opposite the friction plate 53 carries a plunger guide sleeve 54 for guiding a plunger 55 which is urged by a spring 56 against the sleeve 30. The plunger 55 is adapted to press in the positionshownin-Fig1 by a spring 62 which is expandable and contractable within a recess 63 provided by the housing and whichurges a plunger64against the lever 40 so as to urge the pin 43toward the left. The pin 43 is received by an aperture 65 in the tube 46. This aperture is generally triangula r in shape but includes a notch 66 defined by edges-67, 68 and 69. Normally the spring 62 urges the pin 43 against the edge 68 as shown in Fig. 1 thereby urgingthe flange 45 of the collar 44 against a floating brake plate 7 O .and the plate 70 against a floating cork disc 71 surrounding the shaft 23, and the disc 71 against a plate 72 which is attached to the shaft 28. In this way the spring 62 serves to return the manually or pedal operated lever 40 to normal position and to apply a brake for bringing the armature 23 of the starting motor quickly to'rest after a starting operation. This feature is advantageous in case the engine makes a false start, that is;

it operates sufficiently to demesh the pinion.

from the flywheel gear but does not continue to be self-operated. The brake will bring the motor quickly to rest so that the operator may repeat-the starting operation promptly without havingto wait a substantiallength of time for the pinion-to come to rest. before moving it ag'aininto engagement with the. engine gear;

The motor 1s caused to operateby the closing 'of a starting motor switch which is housed within a case attached bys'orews 81 to the motor field frame 22,:and is operated by a. plunger 82 which is normally held in switch openposition by spring 83. The

plunger 82 is located in the path of movement of a stud 84 attached to the lever 40. As shown in Fig. 1, the'stud 84 is spaced from the head of the plunger 82 suihciently to permit the operation of the manually operated 5.

mechanism to move the pinion into mesh wlth the engine gear before the motor switch is closed.

The mode of operation ofthis invention;

is as follows: 7 7

To start the engine the operator will'press the pedal rod 60 to cause the lever 40'to move counterclockwise and to -nove the pin 43 into engagement. with the edge portion 67 of the tube 46.- Continuing the movement of the lever 40 in this direction the tube 46 will pull the collar 44 against the sleeve 30 to cause it to move ina helical path relative to the shaft 23. Since the spring 34 transmits endwise motion from'the sleeve 30150 the pinion 25,v the pinion 25 will likewise move in brought into meshing registration with the i teeth of the engine gear 21 by the helical movement referred to but the teeth of the pinion abut the teeth of the engine gear, by continuing the movement of the lever 40 in a counterclockwise direction the sleeve .30 will continue to move in a helical path while compressing the spring 34 and while simply rotating the pinion 25 into meshing registration with the engine gear. Due to the yielding connection provided by the spring 34 whereby the pinion 25 is yieldingly pressed against the end faces of the teeth of the gear 21, the pinion 25is free to move endwise along the shaft portion 26 so that it may accommodate itself to any irregularities in the end faces of the pinion and gear teeth which would require the pinion to back 05 from the flywheel gear before t gear. Then the pinion is rotated into meshing registration with'the gear 21, the spr ng 34 will bereleased in order to move the pinion 25 into mesh with the engine ge r; Figs. 4 and 5 show positions of the stai l g mechanism 'ust )rior to meshin the pinion with the engine ear. it will be noted that the sleeve 30 has been moved endwise relative to the pinion 25 and that the spring 34 has been'compres 'ed. Fig. 6 shows positions of the starting mechanism after the spring 34 has been released to move the pinion'25 into mesh with the gear 21. p

As stated before the motor switch cannot be closed before the pinion 25 is meshed with the'engine gear. After the inechanismhas been placed in position shown in Fig. 6, the motor switch may be closed by ainotion of the pedal which wi l cause the stud 84 to move the plunger 82 into switch closing position; Then the crankin operation will begin. The shaft 23 is r tated clockwise as viewed in the direction of the arrow 90, in

Fig. 8, or as indicated by the arrow 91 in order to rotate the engine flywheel gear 21 clockwise as viewed from the front of the engine or as looking in the direction of arrow 92 in Fig. 8. Due to the end thrust to-, ward the right between the splines 31 of the shaft 23 and the internal splines of the sleeve 30, the sleeve 30 is moved toward the right until. it engagesthe backs of the, teeth of the pinion2-5 and thereupon the pini-on25 is forced drivingly against the stop ring 2? and the pinion iscaused to rotate to turn y no pinion can' be registered for meshing with the flywheel.

direction. it will move its notch portion 66 and hence the portion 67 away from the pin 43 and will move its oblique edge 93 of the opening 65 against the pin 43 whereupon the sleeve 46 will be moved endwise toward the left due to the camming operation which takes place between the edge 93 and the pin 43. Therefore the parts of the mechanism referred to will be located as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 before the engine becomes self-operative.

When the engine becomes self-operative, the sleeve 30 will be moved from the position shown in-Fig. 9 to that shown in Fig. 10 due to the fact that the flywheel gear 21 tends to drive the pinion 25 faster than the shaft 23 can turn it. lVhen this occurs there is a reversal of thrust between the helical splines of the sleeve and shaft which tends to move the sleeve 30 toward the left into the position shown in Fig. 10. This same operation causes the pinion 25 to be withdrawn from the engine gear 21. Movementof the pinion and sleeve toward the left may take place although the operator fails to re lease the pedal 40. During the cranking operation the tube 46 and flange 44 will have moved sufiiciently to clear a path for the demeshing movement of the sleeve and pinion. After the engine becomes self-operative and before the pedal 60 is released,

the starting mechanism will be in. the position shown in F 1g. 10. Before the starting operation can be repeated the operator is compelled to release the pedal 60 so that the notch 66 may again receive the pin 43 attached to the lower end of the lever 40. 'During the restoration of the lever 40 by the operation of the spring 62 the tube 46 will )6 rotated from the position shown in Fig.

'10 to that shown in Fig. 1 due to the cam ming action between the oblique edge 93 defining the opening 65 in the tube 46 and the pin 43. Therefore it is useless. for the operator to attempt a. trick manipulation of the starting device by trying a repeat operation before the pedal has been entirely released. It is apparent that unless the notch edge 67 is located in the path of movement of the pin 43 no movement of the pinion toward the engine gear can take place.

The plunger attached to the tube 46 cooperates with the side walls of the groove 57 of the sleeve 30 for the purpose of prevent- .ing the accidental drifting of the pinion 25 into mesh with the gear 21 while the start- VVhile the engine is being of the splined portion (.020 inch less for a inch shaft). The reduced poriton is shown between the interrupted shoulder portions 23a and 23b of the shaft 23 as shown in Fig.

The sleeve 30 is provided with an eccentrically located weight 30a located adjacent the splined portion of the sleeve. The shoulder 23?) is made somewhat abrupt, preferably a taper at about 60 degrees to horizontal as viewed in F i-g. 3. Therefore when the pinion is demeshed and the sleeve 30 is thrown back into the position shown in Fig. 10, the sleeve will be prevented from rebounding since its splined hub is retained between the shoulders 23a and 23b. The shoulder 236, being fairly steep, tends effectively to hinder the rebounding of the sleeve toward the engine gear. At the time of demeshing the pinion, the sleeve 30 is rotating at highest speed and the unbalanced centrifugal force acting upon the eccentric mass 30a is the maximum. Therefore the tendency to rebound is counteracted by the fact that the hub of the sleeve 30 is held against the shoulder 23?) and prevented from riding over the shoulder by the unbalanced centrifugal force referred to. In other words, as the pinion is going out of mesh with the gear, the sleeve 30 is rotating while sliding toward the left along the shaft 23, and, upon arriving at normal position, its hub will snap into the reduced shaft portion and will be held there due to the unbalanced centrifugal force referred to.

His therefore apparent that my invention comprises a pinion shifting and meshing device (the sleeve 30), a manually operated actuator for operating the device (the lever 40), disconnectible elements (the pin 43 and the edge surface 67 of part 46) for transmitting motion from the actuator 40 to the device 30, means for automatically moving the element 67 away from the path of movement of the element 43 (the tube 46 which is frictionally connected with the motor shaft so that the tube 46 will turn when the motor cranks the engine), and means for restoring the operative connection between the elethe pin 43 so that the pin 43 may move with- IUD 231s rotating clockwise as v1ewed 1n the euout producing any further movement of the pinion toward the gear. The engine may restore the pinion 25 to normal position as shown in Fig. 10 while the lever may be moved freely into position for closing the F Although the switch be closed, the.

switch. pinion cannot move into contact with the en ine ear becausean tendenc mi ht have 1 to-move toward the gear would be resistedby the effort necessary to lift the hub of the sleeve from the reduced shaft portion between-sh'oulders23a and 23b and bythe resistance afforded by the plunger engaging a side wall of the groove 57, The tendency of the tube 46 to move endwise while the shaft reetion of arrow 90 in Fig. 8; is to move endwise toward the left in Fig. lOdue to the cooperation between the pin 43 and the notch vbut not toward the right.

While the form of embodiment of the present inventionas herein disclosed, constitutes apreferredform, it is to be understood that other "forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

VJhat is claimed is as follows: 1. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an englne to be started and 1neluding a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a device for moving the pinion endwise and operatingincase of abutment with the'engine gear for rotating the pinion'while it 18 pressed against the engine gear; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible motion transmittin elements 0 erativel connected respectively withthe actuator and the shifting device; means for automatically moving the element connectedwith the shifting device away from the path of movement of the element connected with the actuator before the engine starts; and means. for restoring the operative connection between these elements. 7 v

2. Enginestarting apparatus comprising, in combination; a motor; a shaft operated thereby means for connectingthe shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and includinga pinion meshing endwise with the gear the element connected with-the actuator before the enginestarts and means for restoring the. operative connection between these elements. V

I 3. Engine starting apparatuscomprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with;

thegear, of an engine to be started and including a p1n1on meshing endwlse Wlth the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a device for moving the pinion endwise and operating in case of abutment with the engine gear for rotating the pinlon wh1le it is pressed against the engine gear; a manually operable actuator; CllSCOIlIlQCtlblG, I moi tion transmitting elements operativelyfconnected respectively with the actuator and the shifting device, the element operatively connected with the shiftingdevice being mount-.5

ed for limited rotation as. well as movement axially of the pinion; means frictionally connecting said last mentioned element with the I shaft whereby the element will be rotated away from the path of movement of the actu ator element; and means for restoring the operative connection between the elements.

l. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven by the motor; a pinion movable along the shaft into mesh with the gear of the engine to be started; a pinion shifting sleeve movable along the shaft and having driving connections withthe shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft; driving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between the sleeve and pinion so that the pinion maybe turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion is pressed against the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; a manually operated actuator; disconnectible motion transmit-ting elements 'operatively'connected respectively with the actuator and'the sleeve; means for automatically moving the element connected with the sleeve away from the path of movement of the actuator element before the engine'starts; and means for restoringthe oper-- ativeconnection between these elements.

5. Engine starting apparatus. comprisingf.

in combination, a motor; a shaft driven by the motor; a p nion movable along the shaft into mesh with the gear of the engine to be started; a pinion, shifting sleeve movable.

along the shaft and having driving connections with the shaft such that endwise move- I.

ment of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft; driving connections be tween the sleeve and pinion permittingrelae tive endwise movement between the sleeve and. pinion so that the pinion may be turnhd by endwise movement of the sleeve while the I pinion is; pressed against the engine gear .in f

case of abutment therewith; a manually operat-ed actuator; disconnectible motion transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and sleeve; means responsive to the operation of the starting motor for automatically moving the element connected with the sleeve away from the path of movement of the actuator element before the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connections between these elements.

6. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

' in combination, a motor; a shaft driven by the motor; a pinion movable along the shaft into mesh with the gear of the engine to be started; a pinion shifting sleeve movable along the shaft and having driving connectionswith the shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft; driving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between the sleeve and pinion so that the pinion may be turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion is pressed against the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; a manually operated actuator; disconnectiblc motion transmitting elements operatively connected res ective'ly with the actuator and sleeve, the el ement operatively connected with the sleeve being supported by the shaft; means frictionally connecting the last mentioned element with the shaft whereby the element will be rotated away from the path of movement of the actuator element; and means for restoring the operative connection between these elements.

' 7. Engine'starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven by the motor; a-pinion movable along the shaft into mesh'with the gear of the engine to be started; a pinion shifting sleeve movable along the shaft and having driving connections with the shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft driving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between the sleeve and pinion so that the pinion may be turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion is'pressed against the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; a manually operated actuator; an element moved by the actuator longitudinally of the shaft; a device rotatablyi supportedby the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and adapted to move the sleeve endwise to mesh the pinion with the engine gear; an element provided by said device and normally in the path of movement of the actuator element but moved out of the path of movement of the actuator element when the motor operates; and a camelement provided by said device and en;- gageable with the actuator element and cooperating therewith to effect the return of the device to normal position when the actuator is returned to normal position.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven b the motor; a pinion movable along the sha t into mesh with the gear of the engine to be started; a pinion shifting sleeve movable along the shaft and having driving connections with the shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft; driving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between thesleeve and pinion so that the pinion may be turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion ispressed against the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; amanually operated actuator; an element moved by the actuator longitudinally of the shaft; a device rotatably supported by the shaft and friction ally connected therewith and adapted to move the sleeve endwise to mesh the pinion with the engine gear; an element provided by said device and normally in the path of movement of the actuator element but moved out of the path of movement of the actuator element when the motor operates; and a camelement provided b said device and coacting with the actuator element to cause the device to be retracted from the engine gear due to rotation of the device by the shaft when the motor operates, and also coacting with the actuator element to effect the rotation of the device to normal position when the actuator is returned to normal position.

9. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven b the motor; a pinion movable along the sha t into mesh with the gear of theengine to be started; a pinion shifting sleeve movable along the shaft and having driving connections'with the shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaft; driving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between thesleeve and pinion so that the pinion may be turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion is pressed against the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; a manually operated actuator; a pin element moved by the actuator along the shaft; and a cylindrical device rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and movable against the sleeve ito move the pinion toward the engine gear, said device having a recess for receiving the pin and so shaped as to provide a surface normally located in the path of movement of the pin but moved out of the path of movement of the pin when the motor operates, and so shaped as to provide a surface oblique to the shaft and coacting with the pin to cause the device to be retracted from the engine gear due to rotation of the device by the shaft when the movthe gear ing connections between tor operates, and also coasting with the pin to efiect therotation of the device to normal position when the pin is returner to normal position. I I

10. Engine startingapparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven by the motor; a pinion movable along'the shaft into mesh with the gear of the engine to be started; a, pinion shifting, sleeve movable along the shaft andhaving driving connections with the shaft such that endwise movement of the sleeve will cause it to turn relative to the shaftpdriving connections between the sleeve and pinion permitting relative endwise movement between the sleeve and pinion so that the pinion may be turned by endwise movement of the sleeve while the pinion is pressedagainst the engine gear in case of abutment therewith; a manually operated actuator; a pin element moved by the,

actuator along the shaft; and a tubular member movable along the shaft and surrounding the sleeve and frictionally connected with thesleeve and movable against the sleeve in croer to move the pinion toward the gear,

and having an opening in its cylindrical wall so shaped as to provide a surface nor mally located inthe path of movement of the pin but moved out of the path of movement of the ,in when the motor operates, and so shaped toprovide a surface oblique to the shaft and coactlng with thepin to cause the tubular member to. be retracted from the ennine gear due to rotation of the tubular men operates and also coacting with the pin effect rooer by said sleeve when the motor tationof the tubular member to normal position. when he actuator is returned to normal.

position. i p I i 11. Engine ing apparatus cor 'sing, in combination, a motor; a shaft driven hy the motor; means for connecting-theshafl with the gear of an engine tobe started and including a pinion 'movable endwise into mesh with the engine gear and provisions Si: all

whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the gear when the engine starts; manually operable means for moving 7 the pinion into mesh with the engine gear ment between the sleeve and shaft when the sleeve is moved toward the engine gear; means for drivingly connecting-the pinion and sleeve while permitting relative endwise movement between the sleeve and pinion; means for moving the sleeve and pinion toward the gear; and" means tending to retain the sleeve in normal position.

- 13. Engine starting apparatus according to claim 12 in whichthe sleeveis retained in normal position by reducing the outside diameter of that portion of the shaft which is normally engaged by the hub of the sleeve so that the hub is normally located beyond a shoulder portion provided by the shaft on the side thereof remote from the engine gear.

14. Eng1ne startmg I apparatus accordlng to claim 13 in which the sleeve is retained in normal position by reducing the outside diameterof thatportion ofthe shaft which is normallyv engaged by the hub of the sleeve so that the hub is normally located beyond a shoulder portion provided by the shaft, the hub of the sleeve having .an eccentric mass whereby the unbalanced centrifugal-forces acting upon the hub assist in maintaining the hub, while rotat1ng,-nr engagement with shaft portion of reduced diameter.

[15. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

in combination, a motor; a shaft operated. thereby; means for connectlng the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a P1111011 meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinlon Wlll be automatically de'meshed when the engine...

starts; manually operable means for moving the pinion toward the gear and including an actuator and disconnectible motion .transmittingelements movable axially of the shaft,

7 one being. connected with the actuator and theother operatively associated with thepin- .ion; means for'automatically moving the element associated with the pinion away from the path of movement of the actuator element before the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative ,connection between these'elements.

16. Engine starting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft ope-rated thereby; means for connecting the: shaft with.

the gear'of an engine to be started and includ ing. apinion meshing endwise' with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when, the engine starts; manually operable means for moving the pinion toward the gear and including an actuator and disconnectible motion transmit: ting elements movable axially of the shaft,

one being'connected with the actuator'and the other operatively associated with the pinion means responsive to the operation of the motor for automatically moving the element associated with the pinion away from the :path of movement of the actuator element before the engine starts; andmeans for re-,.

storing the operative connection between these elements.

17. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operate-d thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provision whereby the pinion Will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; manually operable means for moving the pinion toward the gear and including an actuator and disconnectible motion transmitting elements movable axially of the shaft, one being connected with the actuator and the other operatively associated with the pinion, the latter element being mounted also for limited rotation; means frictionally connecting said last mentioned element with the shaftwhereby the-element will be rotated away from the path of movement of the actuator element; and means for restoring the operative connection between the elements.

18. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor;.a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise With the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a manually operated actuator; an element moved by the actuator longitudinally of the shaft; a device rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and adapted to move the pinion endwise to- Ward the engine gear; an element provided by said device and normally in the path of movement of the actuator element but moved out of the path of movement of the actuator element when the motor operates; and a cam element provided by said device and engageable with the actuator element and cooperating therewith to effect the return of the device to normal position when the actuator is returned to normal position.

19. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a manually operated actuator; a pin element moved by the actuator along the shaft; and a cylindrical device rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and movable endwise so as to move the pinion toward the engine gear, said device having a recess for receiving the pin and so shaped as to provide a surface normally located in the path of movement of the pin but mox ed out of the path of movement of the pin when the motor operates, and so shaped as to provide a surface oblique to the shaft and coacting with the pin to cause the detice to be retracted from the engine gear nature.

JOHN B. DYER. 

